Which Pressure Sensor Should I Choose?

Pressure sensors are used extensively in industry and beyond. However, selecting the right sensor for the application is the foundation of the measurement and is often incorrectly made. This webinar focuses on correct pressure sensor selection and criteria for test and measurement applications.

Date:
October 25, 2018

Time:
11 AM EDT (8 AM PDT)

Duration:
1 hour

Presented by:

Overview

Pressure Sensors are used extensively in industry and beyond. However, the selection of the right sensor for the application is the foundation of the measurement and is so often incorrectly made. In this webinar we are focusing on pressure sensor selection and criteria for Test and Measurement applications.

All manufacturing will likely have a Test & Measurement department, in research and development, production control and quality verification. Temperature and pressure are by far the two parameters most commonly measured. In this webinar we are focusing on pressure measurement and the best way to achieve data appropriate to the requirement. We discuss the most common technologies and the meaning of the most misunderstood term of "accuracy". When a user asks "How accurate is the sensor?" we explain that a simple value without a clearly defined operating environment is not acceptable, and will probably lead to the wrong sensor selection.

There is also confusion regarding the use of "sensor" and in most Test & Measurement applications companies refer to them as "transducers", or occasionally "transmitters". It is important to understand this to avoid miscommunications.

Temperature is generally considered to be the "Achilles heel" of pressure measurement and the ways in which modern pressure sensors deal with it are an important section of the webinar. Other points of consideration which are explained include hysteresis and repeatability for both pressure and temperature, stability, both long and short term and attitude.

Pressure sensors are also extremely versatile to suit the demands of different industry types such as automotive and aerospace. Both the process and electrical connectors tend to be industry specific. The development of digital outputs such as CANbus or RS485 is discussed as alternates to the well-established voltage or current outputs…and much more!

Key Takeaways

See a glossary of terms used in the selection of pressure sensors

Understand what is meant by "accuracy"

Learn how to select the most economical sensor for the application

Learn how to ensure a pressure sensor is compatible with the media

Recognize the importance of knowing the application temperature

Speaker

Rob Knowles, President, PMC Engineering LLC

Rob's entire career has been associated with sensors and their design and development for use in a wide range of applications and industries. Born in England, he first became associated with Sensor Technology with the development of unique LVDT products for on-line measurement of precision components. In later years after moving to the US in 1981 his focus has been with pressure and other technologies specifically for test & measurement applications in a very wide range of industries. He is currently the CEO of PMC Engineering in Connecticut but is best known for establishing the Druck brand of precision pressure sensors throughout North America.